Wall facing arrangement

ABSTRACT

A wall facing arrangement for a building wall or the like which includes a plurality of face panels attached to the wall. The face panels are attached to the wall by way of profiled strips of synthetic resinous material which resiliently clamp opposed edge portions of the face panels such that the face panels can move in a plane parallel to the wall surface while buckling is prevented during thermal expansion and contraction of the panels. The profiled strips are fixedly attached to the wall by housing structures or underpinning members. A single profiled strip is arranged for clamping adjacent edges of two panels. The profiled strips include resilient arms or sidewalls which can move relative to one another to permit movement of the panels. A planar guide surface of the housing or underpinning is arranged for sliding contact with the edge portions of the panels. The edge portions of the panels are configured to interengage with corresponding structure of the profiled strips without the need for additional fasteners, or drilling, etc. in the panel structure. The profiled clamping strips are provided along the vertical or the horizontal edges of the panels, with the other edges being sealed by overlapping sliding cover plates. Also, sealing covers are provided between the sidewalls of the profiled strips to seal and close off the interstices formed between the clamped edges.

United States Patent [191 Krah et al.

[ June 3, 1975 1 WALL FACING ARRANGEMENT [75] Inventors: Robert Krah, Troisdorf-Sieglar;

Alfons Gehrke, Cologne, both of Germany [73] Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft,

Germany a [22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 291,597

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 24, 1971 Germany 2147907 [52] US. Cl. 52/460; 52/461; 52/464; 52/471; 52/508; 52/573 [51] Int. Cl. E04b 1/68 [58] Field of Search 52/508, 573, 235, 478,

52/493, 506, 544,495, 461, 460, 395, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 470, 471, 758; 220/159 LG, 9 B

[56] v v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,780,862 11/1930 Bloss 52/461 2,312,673 3/1943 3,118,252 l/l964 3,296,762 l/l967 3,320,706 5/1967 3,421,267 l/l969 3,667,182 6/1972 3,807,100 4/1974 Kuss 52/493 Primary ExaminerJohn E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or FirmCraig & Antonelli [5 7 ABSTRACT A wall facing arrangement for a building wall or the like which includes a plurality of face panels attached to the wall. The face panels are attached to the wall by way of profiled strips of synthetic resinous material which resiliently .clamp opposed edge portions of the face panels such that the face panels can move in a plane parallel to the wall surface while buckling is prevented during thermal expansion and contraction of the panels. The profiled strips are fixedly attached to the wall by housing structures or underpinning members. A single profiled strip is arranged for clamping adjacent edges of two panels. The profiled strips include resilient arms or sidewalls which can move relative to one another to permit movement of the panels. A planar guide surface of the housing or underpinning is arranged for sliding contact with the edge portions of the panels. The edge portions of the panels are configured to interengage with corresponding structure of the profiled strips without the need for additional fasteners, or drilling, etc. in the panel structure. The profiled clamping strips are provided along the vertical or the horizontal edges of the panels, with the other edges being sealed by overlapping sliding cover plates. Also, sealing covers are provided between the sidewalls of the profiled strips to seal and close off the interstices formed between the clamped edges.

28 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a facing installation for a wall ofth'e type' including mounting elements to be attached to the wall for mounting face panels to the wall.

In facings of this type, the type of mounting arrangement on the wall plays an important part. The mounting arrangement must be constructed in such a manner that the face panels may expand under the effect of heat without danger of undesirable stresses of deformations occurring within the face panels and associated mounting elements. Also, it is important that the joints or slots formed between the individual face panels are as leakproof as possible.

It has been contemplated to attach face panels to mounting strips, which latter, in turn, are affixed to the wall. The mounting can be accomplished by interlocking snap profile members. However, such facings exhibit the disadvantage that, although the face panels can partake in the thermal expansions, holes are often produced on the side, at the points of intersections of the horizontal and vertical joints, whereby the facing as a whole becomes leaky.

It is contemplated by this invention to provide a facing installation or arrangement of the type mentioned in the foregoing, wherein the face panels, on the one hand,-ar'e retained safety and reliably, but wherein, on the other hand, there is also the possibility of thermal expansion without the production of leakage sites between the face panels and the mounting strips. The present invention' comtemplates fashioning the face panels on at least two opposed edges in such a manner that they enter into a resilient clamping or force-fitting connection with correspondingly shaped parts of the mounting element, which latter is preferably provided in the form of a profiled strip of a synthetic resin.

In the facing installation contemplated by the present invention, the face panels are clamped at their edges in such a manner that a parallel displacement with respect to the surface of the facade is possible while a lifting off or buckling of the panels from the facade is effectively avoided under all circumstances. In the installation according to the present invention, the mutual coupling or locking members of the mounting element or strips and-of the face panels are in superposed engagement to clamp the face panels in position without the need for altering the panel shape either by drilling a bore therethrough or by any other fundamental operation. An important feature contemplated by the present invention relates to the fact that the mounting element braces or clamps the face panels in the direction toward the wall, so that the individual face panels have sufficient support to hold them in position on the wall.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the face panels exhibit lateral webs on at least two rims or edges, which webs extend vertically to the surface of the facade. The lateral webs, in conjunction with the edges of the face panels, serve as resilient mounting portions, by means of which the desired elasticity is effected in pressing the face panels directly against the wall or against a corresponding support. The lateral webs can each'form a" sidewall "of a U- shaped groove or channel, laterally adjoining the panel surface. This U-shaped groove forms a claw-shaped profile for engaging a corresponding counter clawshaped pro fileat the mounting element or mounting strip attached to the wall.

The profiled mounting element or strip contemplated by the present invention advantageously exhibits two essentially parallel sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the facade. These side-walls are in superposed engagement, by means of outwardly oriented spring hooks or catches, with the lateral webs of the face panels. The desired degree of elasticity for the connection of mounting strips and face panels can be produced according to the present invention, by the shaping and material characteristics of the mounting strips or elements.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sidewalls are curved in a meander shape in cross section and are resilient in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, a particularly large spring stroke is available at the edges of the face panels.

Another preferred embodiment contemplated by this invention is characterized by a rigid housing receiving the sidewalls of the mounting element, with a slot for the penetration of the sidewalls, which housing is to be attached to the wall together with the mounting element. The wall portions of the housing adjoining the slot serve as the supporting sections for the face panels. These wall portions are constructed so that it is ensured that a low amount of friction exists between the supporting section and the face panel to provide sufficient possibility for expansion. The housing simultaneously affords protection for the mounting element. The housing preferably consists of a rigid material, for example a metallic profile.

In the facing arrangement contemplated by the present invention, the face panels need to be affixed in one main direction to mounting elements, whereas the interstices or interspaces in the other main direction, at right angles to the former, are covered by cover strips. The interspaces in the other main direction are preferably selected as not too small, so that also in this direction a change in length of the face panels can take place without resulting in strains in the material. The cover strips preferably include a flexible film material adapting itself to the respective width of the interstice by deformation. in other preferred embodiments according to the present invention, the cover strips include rigid plastic strips or strips of synthetic material, which are fixedly attached to the edge of one face panel whereas they cover the edge of the next adjacent face panel only loosely. The seal, formed by this last-mentioned cover strip is normally sufficient for sealing the interstices and the thermal expansion and/or shrinkage is permitted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-discussed and further features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes'of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention and wherein;

FIG. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, illustrating a mounting element in engagement with the vertically extending edges of the face panels in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, illustrating a cover strip'in engagement with the horizontally extending edges of the face panels in accordance with the present invention; 7

FIG. 3 is an elevational schematic view of the facade formed by the arrangements of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a point of intersection of four face panels;

FIGS. 4-6 are views similar to FIG. 1 showing modified embodiments of the present invention, of mounting elements in engagement with the vertically extending edges of the face panels;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a modified construction according to the present invention wherein the mounting element has sidewalls spread in a V-type manner, and wherein the face panels are provided with resilient lateral edges;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the present invention wherein the face panels recede in the direction of the wall toward the center of the face panels with respect to the edges thereof;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the present invention wherein the face panels are semicircularly bent in cross section at the edges, and wherein the mounting element is resiliently attached to a fastening member;

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the present invention having a special type of mounting of a cover plate as a joint seal between the sidewalls of the mounting element; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a still further embodiment of the present invention wherein the anchoring of the mounting element is effected by a single web.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like structure, and particularly to FIGS. l-3, the mounting element 1, shown in cross section in FIG. 1 and consisting of an endless profile member of a synthetic resin, is accommodated within a housing 2 made of aluminum profile. The housing 2 is rectangular in cross section. This housing has a longitudinally extending slot 3 on one longitudinal side, through which the sidewalls 4 of the mounting element 1 penetrate. The sidewalls 4 are provided with facade hooks 5 at their outer ends, which hooks point toward the outside in each case and extend over the lateral webs 6 of the edges of the face panels and 16.

The mounting element 1 includes a plate 8 extending parallel to the wall 7. This plate 8 passes ofer at its edges in meander shape into the sidewalls 4. By the meander-shaped configuration of a portion of the sidewalls 4, a springing effect at right angles to the wall 7 is achieved.

The housing 2 is provided with threaded bores 9 at regular spacings for attaching the housing to the wall 7 by screws 14. The housing 2 furthermore exhibits L- shaped rails 10, 11 extending from the side facing the wall 7 toward the interior of the housing. L-shaped projections 12, 13 of the mounting element I extend over the free legs of these Lshaped rails. The mounting element 1 may thus be pushed into the housing 2 in the longitudinal direction after the housing 2 has been mounted to the wall 7 by means of the screws 14.

In order to attach the face panels 15, 16, the spring hooks 5 must be pulled out of the housing 2. This can be done by means ofa special auxiliary tool with hooks.

The spring hooks 5, and/or the entire sidewalls 4 of the mountingelement 1', are so elastic that the face panels 15, 16 are permitted to move parallel to wall 7 under thermal expansion of the panels. The surfaces of the housing 2 facing away from wall 7 slidably engage the flat surface of panels 15 and 16 to guide the movement of the panels 15 and 16. The gap formed between the spring hooks 5 is covered, after the mounting of the face panels, with a flexible film or sheet 17 in such a manner that the film permits variations in the width of the gap.

The vertical section shown in FIG. 2 illustrates two face panels 15, 18 provided on their edges with bent portions 19, 20 extending in parallel to the wall 7. The interstice formed between the bent portions 19, 20, which varies upon thermal expansion of the face panels, is covered by a rigid cover strip 21. This strip 21 can be rigidly affixed to one of the face panels, e.g. to the panel 18, and covers the bent portion 20 only loosely. The cover strip can also be formed by offsetting or bending (not shown in the drawings) a longer panel rim 19 to slide over or under the adjacent bent portion 20. It is noted that the arrangement of FIG. 2 can be used in conjunction with each of the various embodiments of FIGS. 1, and 4-11 for the mounting element connections.

An elevational view of the facade is illustrated in FIG. 3 for a better understanding of the overall arrangement. In this view, section line H corresponds to the sectional view of FIG. 1 and section line IIII corresponds to the sectional view of FIG. 2. From FIGS. l-3, it should be apparent that the face panels can, within limits, freely expand and contact inboth the vertical and horizontal directions while being held in position parallel to the wall.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a housing 2 of an aluminum profile is utilized which is generally similar to the housing 2 used in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The mounting element 1 is anchored to the L-profile sections 10, 11 in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and thus does not require any detailed explanation. The special feature in the FIG. 5 embodiment resides in that the slot 3 of the housing 2' is somewhat wider than slot 3 of FIG. 1 and in that U-shaped slots or rails 23 are additionally provided at the rims of the face panels for extending into the slot 3'. The spring hooks 5 of the mounting element 1 engage in the slots 23. The face panels 15 and 16' are supported at the housing 2 with their wall sections 25 resting against the wall portions 24 adjoining the slot 3'.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the housing 2" is fashioned in such a manner that the slot 3" extends over the entire width of the housing. For supporting purposes, flanges 26 are provided in a lateral extension of the housing 2". These flanges 26 extend in parallel to the wall 7 and form a supporting surface for the wall portions 25 of the face panels 15, 16. The face panels of this FIG. 6 embodiment have the same shape as the face panels utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the mounting element 1 is anchored to L-shaped projections 10', ll arranged on the sidewalls of the housing 2". The free legs of the projections 10, 11 point toward the wall 7 and are overlapped by corresponding arms 126 of the mounting element. The sidewalls 4 at each side element 1' adjoin the respective arms 126. The sidewalls 4' converge toward the outside wall 7 under a slight angle and are planar-as contrasted to the meandershaped sidewalls of FIGS. 1 and 5. The sidewalls 4' of the mounting element 1' are provided with spring hooks 5' at the outer ends thereof. These spring hooks 5' engage into the U-shaped slots 23 of the face panels 16'.

A further special feature of the mounting element 1 of FIG. 6 is that the spring hooks 5' are joined by a flexible wall 27 of a synthetic resin, so that the entire mounting element 1' consists of a closed profile thereby obviating the need for a separate film such as shown at 17 in the FIG. 1 embodiment.

The mounting element 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is fashioned, on its side facing outwardly away from wall 7, in the same manner as that of FIG. 6. The arrangement of the slot 3" in the housing 2" of FIG. 4 differs from FIG. 6 in that it does not receive any parts of the face panels 15, 16. The face panel in this FIG. 4 embodiment are shaped similar to face panels of the FIG. 1 embodiment. The mounting element 1" has two parallel sidewalls attached to a corresponding mounting 28 at the housing 2" is attached to the wall 7 by means of screws 14.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, a mounting element 30 is employed with two wall portions 31 diverging in the manner of a V. The mounting element 30 is attached to an underpinning 33 by means of an anchor member 32. The underpinning 33, in turn, is attached to the wall in a manner not illustrated in detail herein. With its planar surfaces-34, the underpinning serves for supporting the face panels 35, 36 and affords the desired sliding possibilities. The face panels 35, 36 rest with their U-shaped rims on the surfaces 34. The free legs of the U-shaped rims are provided with obliquely projecting, resilient edges 37. These edges 37 extend under the spring hooks 38 of the mounting element 30 and thus effect a resilient support in a direction at right angles to the wall. In order to improve the covering of the interstice formed between the face panels 35, 36, the spring hooks 38 are extended in length in parallel to the wall.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment for the mounting of concave face'panels 39, 40; Le. of face panels having a greater distance from the wall at their edges than in their centers. An underpinning 41 is employed serving to support the arrangement on the wall, which latter'is not illustrated herein. The underpinning 41 simultaneously serves to attach the mounting element 42 and for the sliding support of the face panels 39, 40. The mounting element 42 consists of a closed synthetic resin profile of a rectangular cross section, on the longitudinal sides of which L-shaped hooks 43 are provided pointing toward the underpinning 41. The hooks 43 extend over corresponding L-shaped projections 44 of the face panels 39, 40 and thus effect a fixation of the rims 0r edges of the face panels. The face panels 39, 40 rest with their planar surface sections 45 on the underpinning 41 and then recede toward the center in order to occupy a smaller distance from the wall. The affixing of the mounting element 42 to the underpinning 41 is accomplished by lateral projections 46 at the mounting element 42 extending behind corresponding projections at the underpinning 41.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 again serves for mounting concave face panels 47, 48. These face panels are provided at their rims or edges with troughshaped extensions 49, bent in an approximately semicircular configuration in cross section. The mounting element 51 also exhibits corresponding trough-shaped extensions wich extend from the outside over the extensions 49. The extensions 49 thus lock into the extensions 50. Any twisting or rotation is prevented by fashioning the mounting element 51 to be of a double-T shape at its end pointing toward the inside, thus effecting a fixation of the extensions 49.

The fixation of the mounting element 51 to the underpinning 52 is accomplished by means of resilient fastening or anchoring hooks 53, 54 arranged at the mounting element and exerting their effect in each case in pairs from both sides against a wall portion 55 of the underpinning 52. The wall portions 55, extending in parallel to the wall, which latter is not shown, form between them a slot for the penetration of the sidewalls 56 of the mounting element. In this manner, a resilient attachment of the mounting element 51 to the underpinning 52 is effected.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment wherein the mounting element 57 is attached to the wall 7 directly by means of a screw 58. The mounting element 57.has two parallel sidewalls 158 provided on their ends with outwardly projecting U-shaped bent portions 59. The latter extend over the U-shaped rims of the face panels 60, 61. The face panels rest on rectangular rails 62 which contact the wall 7.

For covering the interstice formed between walls 158, a cover plate 63 is provided which engages into corresponding longitudinal grooves 64 at the ends of the sidewalls 58; thus, the cover plate is mounted undetachably in the direction perpendicular to wall 7, but can be pulled out in the longitudinal direction of the profile. The covering of the panel rims is effected by extended wall portions 65 of the mounting element 57, which portion 65 extend parallel to the wall 7.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the face panels 66 have the same configuration along their rims as the face panels 61 according to FIG. 10, but the mounting element 67 is here of a basically different structure. The mounting element 67 has a web 68 extending at right angles to the wall, this web being anchored to the underpinning 74. The sidewalls 69 project in oblique directions from the end of the web 68. Approximately at the level at which they contact the face panels 66, the sidewalls 69 extend in parallel to the respective panel rim section at right angles to the wall and then pass over into a U-shaped section 70. The U-shaped section 70, however, is considerably smaller in its depth dimensions than the U-shaped portion 71 of the respective panel rim, extending around the first-mentioned U-shaped section 70. The U-shaped portion 71 rests on the planar surface 72 of the underpinning 74. The U- shaped sections are additionally provided with opposed extensions 73 in order to effect an exact fixation of the face panels 66 also in the transverse direction to the wall.

In each of the above embodiments the mounting elements are preferably constructed of elastic synthetic resinous material having an integrally formed crosssectional shape. I I

With respect tothe FIG. 9 embodiment, it is further noted that mounting element 51 is of two-piece construction.,Tl 1e. two pieces 51a and 51b are nested and attached together at 51c and 51d to form a substantially solid mounting element in the assembled position.

The positioning of the mounting element and housing structure, in eachof the above embodiments, with respect to the structure of the attached edgeportions of the face panels is such as to permit thermal expansion of the face panels in both the horizontal and vertical directions with planes parallel to the fixed wall to which the facing arrangement is attached.

Although we have described and illustrated but several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to a person skilled in the art, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are within the scope of those skilled in the art.

We claim: 1. A wall facing arrangement comprising: at least one face panel having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, and mounting means for mounting said face panel to the fixed building wall or the like,

wherein said mounting means includes resilient means for providing a resilient interconnection between at least two opposed edge portions of said face panel and said wall such that substantial resilient movements of said face panel in the direction of said wall and in directions parallel to said wall are permitted,

wherein the resilient means includes sidewalls bent in a meander shape in cross-section at least along a part of their length, and

wherein the sidewalls have outwardly projecting ends which are resilient in the longitudinal direction.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said resilient means is a clamping means which include at least one profiled strip of synthetic resinous material for each of two opposed edge portions of said face panel.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least two face panels are provided, and wherein said resilient means includes a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein at least four face panels are provided which are arranged in a grid with respective vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels, wherein resilient clamping means are provided for the edge portions adjacent only one of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and wherein overlapping cover strips are provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices.

5. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said adjacent edge portions include lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said lateral webs being interengaged with said profiled strip.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means further includes: a rigid housing structure for housing each profiled strip, and attaching means for attaching said rigid housing structure directly to the wall or the like.

7. An arrangementaccording to claim 6, wherein each of said housing structures include outwardly facing planar housing surfaces which extends parallel to said facing surface, and wherein the respective edge portions of said face panels are in sliding engagement with said housing surfaces.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said edge portions are resiliently clamped between said housing surfaces and said resilient clamping means.

9. An arrangement according to calim 1, wherein at least four face panels are provided which are arranged in a grid with respective,vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels, wherein resilient clamping means are provided for the edge portions adjacent only of one of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and wherein overlapping cover strips are provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices.

10. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said profiled strip includes a flexible wall portion interconnecting said sidewalls.

11. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means provides a detachable interconnection between said face panel and said wall.

12. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is interchangeable with similar means.

13. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said resilient means is spring-like.

14. A wall facing arrangement comprising: at least one face panel having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like and mounting means for mounting said face panel to the fixed building wall or the like,

wherein said mounting means includes resilient means for providing a resilient interconnection between at least two opposed edge portions of said face panel and said wall such that substantial resilient movements of said face panel in the direction of said wall and in directions parallel to said wall are permitted, wherein at least two face panels are provided, wherein said resilient means includes a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, wherein said adjacent edge portions include lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said lateral webs being interengaged with said profiled strip,

wherein the profiled strip includes two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels,

wherein resilient hooks are formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, and

wherein the end portions of the sidewalls opposite the building wall are joined by a flexible film which permits movement of said end portions with re- Spect to one another while sealing the space between said end portions.

15. An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein at least four face panels are provided which are arranged in a grid with respective vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels, wherein resilient clamping means are provided for the edge portions adjacent only one of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and wherein overlapping cover strips are provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices.

16. A wall facing arrangement comprising at least two face panels having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, mounting means for mounting said face panels to the fixed building wall or the like, said mounting means including resilient clamping means formed from a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, said edge portions including lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said profiled strip including two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels, said sidewalls having resilient hooks formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, and said mounting means further including a rigid housing structure for each profiled strip which encloses portions of said sidewalls, attaching means for attaching said housing structure to the wall or the like, and a slot in a side of the housing structure through which said sidewalls extend outwardly.

17. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said face panels are clamped against planar surfaces of said housing structure by said resilient hooks, and wherein said planar surfaces of said housing extend parallel to the facing surface and guide the extending movement of said face panels.

18. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said mounting means further includes rigid housing means for housing the resilient means and for attaching said resilient means in a position on the building wall or the like.

19. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said housing means includes an outwardly facing planar housing surface which extends parallel to said facing surface, and wherein the edge portion of said face panel is in sliding engagement with said housing surface.

20. An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said edge portion is resiliently clamped between said housing surface and said resilient clamping means.

21. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said resilient clamping means is anchored to said housing means.

22. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said mounting means further includes anchoring means for anchoring said profiled strip to said housing structure.

23. An arrangement according to claim 22, wherein said anchoring means includes interengageable portions of said profiled strip and housing structure.

24. An arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said interengageable portions include a groove and rail arrangement permitting sliding movement of said profiled strip in a direction parallel to said facing surfaces of said panels while precluding movement of said profiled strip in a direction perpendicular to said facing surfaces.

25. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said lateral webs extend in the direction of the building wall or the like into the slot of the housing with an amount of play.

26. A wall facing arrangement comprising:

at least two face panels having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like,

mounting means for mounting said face panels to the fixed building wall or the like, said mounting means including resilient clamping means formed from a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, said edge portions including lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said profiled strip including two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels, said sidewalls having resilient hooks formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, the sidewalls being bent in a meander shape in cross-section at least along a part of their lengths, and at least the outwardly projecting ends being resilient in the longitudinal direction to permit expansion movement of the face panels against said hooks in a direction parallel to the facing surface of said face panels.

27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the lateral webs each form a sidewall of a U-shaped groove of the respective panels.

28. A wall facing arrangement comprising at least four face panels extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, said panels arranged in a grid with respective vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels,

mounting meansfor mounting said face panels to the fixed building wall or the like, said mounting means including resiient clamping means formed from a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, said edge portions including lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said profiled strip including two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels, said sidewalls having resilient hooks formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, said resilient clamping means being provided for the edge portions adjacent only one of said vertical and horizontal interstices with overlapping cover strips being provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and the end portions of the sidewalls opposite the building wall being joined by a flexible film which permits movement of said end portions with respect to one another while sealing the space between said edge portions. 

1. A wall facing arrangement comprising: at least one face panel having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, and mounting means for mounting said face panel to the fixed building wall or the like, wherein said mounting means includes resilient means for providing a resilient interconnection between at least two opposed edge portions of said face panel and said wall such that substantial resilient movements of said face panel in the direction of said wall and in directions parallel to said wall are permitted, wherein the resilient means includes sidewalls bent in a meander shape in cross-section at least along a part of their length, and wherein the sidewalls have outwardly projecting ends which are resilient in the longitudinal direction.
 1. A wall facing arrangement comprising: at least one face panel having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, and mounting means for mounting said face panel to the fixed building wall or the like, wherein said mounting means includes resilient means for providing a resilient interconnection between at least two opposed edge portions of said face panel and said wall such that substantial resilient movements of said face panel in the direction of said wall and in directions parallel to said wall are permitted, wherein the resilient means includes sidewalls bent in a meander shape in cross-section at least along a part of their length, and wherein the sidewalls have outwardly projecting ends which are resilient in the longitudinal direction.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said resilient means is a clamping means which include at least one profiled strip of synthetic resinous material for each of two opposed edge portions of said face panel.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least two face panels are provided, and wherein said resilient means includes a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein at least four face panels are provided which are arranged in a grid with respective vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels, wherein resilient clamping means are provided for the edge portions adjacent only one of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and wherein overlapping cover strips are provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said adjacent edge portions include lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said lateral webs being interengaged with said profiled strip.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means further includes: a rigid housing structure for housing each profiled strip, and attaching means for attaching said rigid housing structure directly to the wall or the like.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein each of said housing structures include outwardly facing planar housing surfaces which extends parallel to said facing surface, and wherein the respective edge portions of said face panels are in sliding engagement with said housing surfaces.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said edge portions are resiliently clamped between said housing surfaces and said resilient clamping means.
 9. An arrangement according to calim 1, wherein at least four face panels are provided which are arranged in a grid with respective vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels, wherein resilient clamping means are provided for the edge portions adjacent only of one of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and wherein overlapping cover strips are provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said profiled strip includes a flexible wall portion interconnecting said sidewalls.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means provides a detachable interconnection between said face panel and said wall.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is interchangeable with similar means.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said resilient means is spring-like.
 14. A wall facing arrangement comprising: at least one face panel having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like and mounting means for mounting said face panel to the fixed building wall or the like, wherein said mounting means includes resilient means for providing a resilient interconnection between at least two opposed edge portions of said face panel and Said wall such that substantial resilient movements of said face panel in the direction of said wall and in directions parallel to said wall are permitted, wherein at least two face panels are provided, wherein said resilient means includes a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, wherein said adjacent edge portions include lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said lateral webs being interengaged with said profiled strip, wherein the profiled strip includes two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels, wherein resilient hooks are formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, and wherein the end portions of the sidewalls opposite the building wall are joined by a flexible film which permits movement of said end portions with respect to one another while sealing the space between said end portions.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein at least four face panels are provided which are arranged in a grid with respective vertical and horizontal interstices between immediately adjacent edge portions of the face panels, wherein resilient clamping means are provided for the edge portions adjacent only one of said vertical and horizontal interstices, and wherein overlapping cover strips are provided for covering the other of said vertical and horizontal interstices.
 16. A wall facing arrangement comprising at least two face panels having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, mounting means for mounting said face panels to the fixed building wall or the like, said mounting means including resilient clamping means formed from a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, said edge portions including lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said profiled strip including two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels, said sidewalls having resilient hooks formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, and said mounting means further including a rigid housing structure for each profiled strip which encloses portions of said sidewalls, attaching means for attaching said housing structure to the wall or the like, and a slot in a side of the housing structure through which said sidewalls extend outwardly.
 17. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said face panels are clamped against planar surfaces of said housing structure by said resilient hooks, and wherein said planar surfaces of said housing extend parallel to the facing surface and guide the extending movement of said face panels.
 18. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said mounting means further includes rigid housing means for housing the resilient means and for attaching said resilient means in a position on the building wall or the like.
 19. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said housing means includes an outwardly facing planar housing surface which extends parallel to said facing surface, and wherein the edge portion of said face panel is in sliding engagement with said housing surface.
 20. An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein said edge portion is resiliently clamped between said housing surface and said resilient clamping means.
 21. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said resilient clamping means is anchored to said housing means.
 22. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said mounting means further includes anchoring means for anchoring said profiled strip to said housing structure.
 23. An arrangement according to claim 22, wherein said anchoring means includes interengageable portions of said profiled strip and housing structure.
 24. An arrangement according to claim 23, wherein said interengageable portions include a groove and rail arrangement permitting sliding movement of said profiled strip in a direction parallel to said facing surfaces of said panels while precluding movement of said profiled strip in a direction perpendicular to said facing surfaces.
 25. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein said lateral webs extend in the direction of the building wall or the like into the slot of the housing with an amount of play.
 26. A wall facing arrangement comprising: at least two face panels having a facing surface extending generally parallel to a fixed building wall or the like, mounting means for mounting said face panels to the fixed building wall or the like, said mounting means including resilient clamping means formed from a single profiled strip of synthetic resinous material interposed between adjacent face panels in resilient clamping engagement with adjacent edge portions of the adjacent face panels, said edge portions including lateral webs extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the face panels, said profiled strip including two sidewalls extending generally perpendicularly to the facing surface of the facing panels, said sidewalls having resilient hooks formed at outwardly projecting ends of said sidewalls for extending over the respective lateral webs of the respective panels, the sidewalls being bent in a meander shape in cross-section at least along a part of their lengths, and at least the outwardly projecting ends being resilient in the longitudinal direction to permit expansion movement of the face panels against said hooks in a direction parallel to the facing surface of said face panels.
 27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the lateral webs each form a sidewall of a U-shaped groove of the respective panels. 